Paul steps up S.C. schedule

FLORENCE, S.C.—Aiming for a third-place finish in South Carolina, Ron Paul campaigned more aggressively Friday than he has in some time.

A six-stop tour took the Texas congressman into each of the state’s regions, virtually ensuring that he’ll appear on local television in each of the four major media markets on primary eve. The goal is to boost turnout and keep Paul’s name in the mix when Palmetto State voters go to the polls tomorrow. But Paul isn’t betting on a big South Carolina win, instead focusing his long-term strategy on collecting delegates in low-cost caucus states.

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“I’m feeling really good,” Paul said after an airport rally here. “I don’t make any predictions, but I think we’re going to do well. It’s going to be enough to keep us encouraged and on to the next battle.”

A Clemson University poll released Friday put Paul narrowly in third place, with 11 percent. Rick Santorum was at 9 percent, which was within the margin of error. Newt Gingrich led the contest, with Mitt Romney placing second.

Paul finished the day with a rollicking rally that drew more than 600 to a bar in downtown Columbia. It was mostly college-age crowd near the University of South Carolina and marked one of the better receptions that Paul has received since coming to the state. Live music played in the background as he shook hands for over 30 minutes and signed a life-sized cut-out of himself.

“Some of the other campaigns, I don’t know how they get enthusiasm,” he said, citing the failure of anti-piracy legislation as an example of how “grassroots pressure” can work in Washington. “I don’t know what they stand for, quite frankly.”

Despite the enthusiasm, Paul sought to keep expectations low, acknowledging that “it’s a tough road to hoe here in this state” while urging the cheering audience to “maximize turnout” by bringing their friends to the polls.

Paul, 76, has kept a lighter South Carolina schedule than any of the other candidates. He made a brief stop in Columbia on Jan. 11, the day after the New Hampshire’s primary in which he finished second. Then he spent four days in Texas before returning to the Palmetto State on Sunday. Paul opted not to campaign in the middle of the week so he could travel to Washington to vote against the debt-ceiling increase.

Though he turned in an aggressive debate performance Thursday evening, Paul was eclipsed by Gingrich’s star turn.